Andy Last on Hull FC’s ‘best in comp’ quality, Logan Moy’s outstanding display, and their new ‘Mr Fix It’ talent.
George Flanagan of Huddersfield fails to stop Logan Moy of Hull FC from scoring a try
Andy Last has labelled Hull FC’s goal line defence as the best in the Super League competition, with such tenacity and scramble coming to the fore once again in Saturday’s 36-12 win over Huddersfield Giants.
The Black and Whites dug deep to shut out their line, producing at least three try-saving tackles over the course of the game, and at the other end, they scored some eye-catching tries to boot in what was a much-needed win after four successive defeats.
Showing their tenacity and grit, Hull, after repelling Fenton Rogers, also forced Connor Wrench into touch and held Tom Burgess up over the try line before getting their rewards at the other end and eventually running out comfortable winners.
“I’m really, really pleased that we got the win,” Last told Hull Live after the game. “The players have worked hard. Confidence has been a bit low because we haven’t got the results, but I don’t think we’ve been far away in performance.
“Today, we managed to stay in the fight. They got off to a 6-0 start but it didn’t knock us. We knew we needed to play the long game with Huddersfield and we knew if we put enough fatigue into them, we’d cause them some problems.
“We certainly did that and it was nice to sit there with 15 minutes to go, knowing that the game was in the bag. We scored some really nice tries. There was a nice blend between structure and just playing on the front foot on the back of a quick ruck. I’m really pleased.”
On his side’s defensive efforts, Last continued: “I think that’s been evident every week; the spirit, that togetherness and that willingness to defend and defend the try line have been as good as any in the competition.
“I think we are the best defensive team in the competition at defending our try line; with the amount of play-the-balls that we’ve conceded, I think it was taking something like almost 18 tackles to concede.
“So we have got that spirit and that desperation to defend. There were some really, really big plays, and even right at the death, when you could have quite easily just had a play-off, the guys managed to find that desperation, that energy, to keep the line intact, and they scrambled extremely hard. You get your rewards for hard work so I’m really pleased for the boys.”
Icing the key moments, Last’s side also produced the quality when it mattered most, nailing their execution and their opportunities.
“The first try under the posts from Logan Moy; Amir Bourouh makes a great break and then nails a 15-metre pass to Moy which was right on the button when he’s running at speed,” Last recalled. “That’s high-level execution and an exceptional try and then the Harvey Barron one at the end was good execution on a nice shift play.
“We’ve got into shape, we’ve been prepared to throw the ball out of the yardage, and we’ve got our rewards from it. There were some really nice moments and I’m looking forward to watching it back.”
On Moy, who was terrific again and took home the Player of the Match award, Last, who also praised Will Kirby, continued: “He is (on a roll). He plays in a position which is under the spotlight.
“It’s the big forward blokes who I’ve probably got a bit more affiliation for, as they’re in that washing machine; they’re doing all the tough stuff for the likes of Logan to excel, but no, Logan today was outstanding.
“Every time a ball went up, he commanded that area. He came down with some brilliant catches. His timing was exceptional. And then he challenged the big blokes through the middle of the field with his speed and his agility.
“He’s getting more and more confident, and I’m really pleased for him. He’s a good kid. He hasn’t had an easy path into the first team. He’s been in, and then he’s come out, and he’s gone in again. He’s made that position his own.”
As for Kirby, who started at loose-forward and played the full 80 in his best performance at Super League level to date, Last said: “I spoke to Will after the Leigh game and said you’re going to play the following week because you’ve earned your spot.
“He trains exceptionally well. He’s a hard trainer. He’s trained so hard for the last 18 months I’ve been here. He’s confrontational and he holds his own. I’m just pleased he got through the minutes.
“He was a Mr Fix It. He started at loose forward, then moved to right back row and left back row. He did an exceptional job.”